Maximum age for consideration?

[gwright66]

I’m looking for some real & honest advice. I applied as a Trainee Train Driver with GWR in May 2023, and in February 2025 was invited to an Assessment Centre, which is next week. I’ve been studying & practicing but I keep thinking there’s probably not much point because I’m currently 58½ years old and suspect there’s no way I’d be considered even if I do well at the AC. I reached out to HR & asked the question but received only the answer I expected from an HR Dept, that everyone is judged on merit, no maximum age & that in the application process the age of each person isn’t even known—which surprises me because back in August 2023 I submitted interview videos, so someone somewhere along the line has had a good look at me. Needless to say I was shocked to get the AC invite. But in all seriousness, would it even be worth my time or anyone else’s to continue the process, considering that there are further interviews after the Assessment Centre and then training taking 1-to-2 years? Just to get this far has already taken 2 years, I can only imagine how much more time it might take. Honest options on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Horizon22]

There are certainly people who joined in their 50s although I won’t lie that 58 is on the older side.

That being said you’re not going to get much from anyone other than everyone is taken on merit and age discrimination is illegal.

The fact is you’ve been invited to an assessment centre so don’t doubt yourself - you’re still in the process and already further than most so take the opportunity whilst you have it.

 

[skyhigh]

If it's a job you want to do, go for it.

But if it were me, I would consider the effects of shift work - it's certainly not something I'd want to start doing at that age, but if you're used to it then it shouldn't be an issue. I would also consider when you are planning to retire. If you wanted to go at 60 then maybe it's not wise to embark on a long training programme knowing you're not staying at the end.

I'd definitely go to the assessment centre either way. You've got this far so don't waste the opportunity if it's something you think will be right for you.

 

[gwright66]

Thanks for that—& it’s a good perspective that I’ve gotten this far & am still in the running. The fact that it’s taken 2 years (& counting) is the most frustrating aspect, since the age clock keeps ticking, & if I’m successful at the assessment who know how much more time passes before the next step?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Mar 2025 ==

If it's a job you want to do, go for it.

But if it were me, I would consider the effects of shift work - it's certainly not something I'd want to start doing at that age, but if you're used to it then it shouldn't be an issue. I would also consider when you are planning to retire. If you wanted to go at 60 then maybe it's not wise to embark on a long training programme knowing you're not staying at the end.

I'd definitely go to the assessment centre either way. You've got this far so don't waste the opportunity if it's something you think will be right for you.

Thanks for your thoughts. The shifts don’t bother me & an interesting & mentally stimulating job would be incentive enough to keep working for years.

 

[skyhigh]

Thanks for your thoughts. The shifts don’t bother me & an interesting & mentally stimulating job would be incentive enough to keep working for years.

Crack on then, you have nothing to lose.

 

[NorthernTech]

Whats the worst that can happen? You spend some time preparing for it, and you either get it and are over the moon, or you don’t and you say, well at least you tried your best… If you don’t have a go, and few years pass and you look back and wish you’d at least tried, you may well think you perhaps missed your one and only chance. Why not have a go? Like said above, many people don’t get as far as being invited, so you must have done something right so far!

 

[gwright66]

Whats the worst that can happen? You spend some time preparing for it, and you either get it and are over the moon, or you don’t and you say, well at least you tried your best… If you don’t have a go, and few years pass and you look back and wish you’d at least tried, you may well think you perhaps missed your one and only chance. Why not have a go? Like said above, many people don’t get as far as being invited, so you must have done something right so far!

Thanks very much, that’s a good perspective to keep in mind

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Mar 2025 ==

There are certainly people who joined in their 50s although I won’t lie that 58 is on the older side.

That being said you’re not going to get much from anyone other than everyone is taken on merit and age discrimination is illegal.

The fact is you’ve been invited to an assessment centre so don’t doubt yourself - you’re still in the process and already further than most so take the opportunity whilst you have it.

Thanks for your thoughts—I replied in the thread below but this is my first post so missed the actual Reply button ‍♂️

 

[Twotwo]

Thanks for that—& it’s a good perspective that I’ve gotten this far & am still in the running. The fact that it’s taken 2 years (& counting) is the most frustrating aspect, since the age clock keeps ticking, & if I’m successful at the assessment who know how much more time passes before the next step?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Mar 2025 ==


Thanks for your thoughts. The shifts don’t bother me & an interesting & mentally stimulating job would be incentive enough to keep working for years.

I won't lie this job is not mentally stimulating. Maybe at the beginning when your learning everything but after a couple of years driving it all becomes muscles memory and tedious.

 

[43066]

I won't lie this job is not mentally stimulating. Maybe at the beginning when your learning everything but after a couple of years driving it all becomes muscles memory and tedious.

Disagree with this personally - the job is very much what you make of it. It isn’t the last word in intellectual stimulation, but that balances out by not being stressful most of the time. It also isn’t (or shouldn’t be) “muscle memory” - you do need to be actively concentrating, and knowing when you can relax a little, which is part of the skill of the job! There’s always the option to mentor/instruct etc. to add another dimension.

Best of luck to the OP. I’d agree 58 is pushing it, but nothing ventured nothing gained. I’d be more concerned about the impact of shifts, which most people who have been in the industry for a while reckon get harder as you get older.

 

[piers1234]

Thanks for that—& it’s a good perspective that I’ve gotten this far & am still in the running. The fact that it’s taken 2 years (& counting) is the most frustrating aspect, since the age clock keeps ticking, & if I’m successful at the assessment who know how much more time passes before the next step?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Mar 2025 ==


Thanks for your thoughts. The shifts don’t bother me & an interesting & mentally stimulating job would be incentive enough to keep working for years.

Your never to old to join the railway. Unless you're been used to shift work then they will bother you especially at your age.

It's easy to just dismiss shift work but it can be hard both for young and older people. There is both pluses and negatives to shift work.

I wish you the best of luck.

BTW Over 55s need a medical every year.

 

[gwright66]

I won't lie this job is not mentally stimulating. Maybe at the beginning when your learning everything but after a couple of years driving it all becomes muscles memory and tedious.

That’s a really good point & something I hadn’t thought of—good to know! Thanks.

 

[Class2ldn]

Certainly not a job id want to be taking up in my late 50s, the shifts are extreme and they do take a toll on your body no matter how much you think you can handle them, they do wear you down but if you think you can handle it then give it a go.

 

[gwright66]

Disagree with this personally - the job is very much what you make of it. It isn’t the last word in intellectual stimulation, but that balances out by not being stressful most of the time. It also isn’t (or shouldn’t be) “muscle memory” - you do need to be actively concentrating, and knowing when you can relax a little, which is part of the skill of the job! There’s always the option to mentor/instruct etc. to add another dimension.

Best of luck to the OP. I’d agree 58 is pushing it, but nothing ventured nothing gained. I’d be more concerned about the impact of shifts, which most people who have been in the industry for a while reckon get harder as you get older.

Thanks for your thoughts. I’ve done a bit of shift work in the past & liked certain aspects of it but it was a definite adjustment. My biggest concern about age is the company thinking it’s not worth their investment of the time & expense of training, despite what they obviously have to say about not discriminating because of age—& I couldn’t blame them for thinking that way!

 

[gwright66]

I knew about the annual medical for over 55s but have seen a mention somewhere that varifocal glasses aren’t allowed—does anyone know if this is the case?

 

[43066]

Thanks for your thoughts. I’ve done a bit of shift work in the past & liked certain aspects of it but it was a definite adjustment. My biggest concern about age is the company thinking it’s not worth their investment of the time & expense of training, despite what they obviously have to say about not discriminating because of age—& I couldn’t blame them for thinking that way!

I wouldn’t let that put you off. The railway these days is very keen to increase workforce diversity, and to be seen not to discriminate, including on grounds of age. It’s certainly not unknown to see trainee drivers north of 50, although the average age is probably more like mid 30s.

 

[whoosh]

I knew about the annual medical for over 55s but have seen a mention somewhere that varifocal glasses aren’t allowed—does anyone know if this is the case?

May depend on individual companies. My TOC allows varifocals.

 

[gwright66]

May depend on individual companies. My TOC allows varifocals.

Thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Mar 2025 ==

Certainly not a job id want to be taking up in my late 50s, the shifts are extreme and they do take a toll on your body no matter how much you think you can handle them, they do wear you down but if you think you can handle it then give it a go.

Thanks, the shifts keep coming up as a topic of concern from you guys with experience so it’s definitely something I’ll have to think hard about

 

[officewalla]

I’m looking for some real & honest advice. I applied as a Trainee Train Driver with GWR in May 2023, and in February 2025 was invited to an Assessment Centre, which is next week. I’ve been studying & practicing but I keep thinking there’s probably not much point because I’m currently 58½ years old and suspect there’s no way I’d be considered even if I do well at the AC. I reached out to HR & asked the question but received only the answer I expected from an HR Dept, that everyone is judged on merit, no maximum age & that in the application process the age of each person isn’t even known—which surprises me because back in August 2023 I submitted interview videos, so someone somewhere along the line has had a good look at me. Needless to say I was shocked to get the AC invite. But in all seriousness, would it even be worth my time or anyone else’s to continue the process, considering that there are further interviews after the Assessment Centre and then training taking 1-to-2 years? Just to get this far has already taken 2 years, I can only imagine how much more time it might take. Honest options on this would be greatly appreciated.

I can tell you with absolute certainty as I was similar in age when I applied and asked the same question directly to the HR recruitment team. The answer I got was that they do not know the age of the candidates. Trainees are selected on a blind selection basis with the best being offered places and the rest staying in the pool so long as the have passed the tests. In other words I got the same answer that you did. You lose nothing by attending the selection tests. I was 55 when I was offered a trainee role.

 

[gwright66]

I can tell you with absolute certainty as I was similar in age when I applied and asked the same question directly to the HR recruitment team. The answer I got was that they do not know the age of the candidates. Trainees are selected on a blind selection basis with the best being offered places and the rest staying in the pool so long as the have passed the tests. In other words I got the same answer that you did. You lose nothing by attending the selection tests. I was 55 when I was offered a trainee role.

That’s good to know, thanks